It can effect the outcome of a game with a flip of the switch, such as a
interception return for a touchdown, a blocked kick or a timely forced fumble.

It can ignite thousands of fans in just seconds, or it can shut them up and
send them home packing.

But when it comes to the FCS playoffs, momentum can be used in a different
form.

In 2010, when the playoff field expanded to 20 teams for the first time, 12
teams received an extra bye week and had to wait to see who their destined
opponent would be in the second round.

History shows that the teams which played in the new first round might have
a tougher road to the national championship and not have the luxury of getting
healthy or resting up after a brutal regular season. But the question still
remains: Is it better to have a week off, or is it better to remain fresh and
gain momentum heading into the second round?

"There was a lot of guys that we had playing who, you know, football is a
really physical game," North Dakota State coach Craig Bohl said. "You get to
the tail-end of the year and you're just out there, it's hard. For some guys,
to be able to come back and have nagging injuries that they've played with for
several weeks to have a week off, where they're not getting pounded and get
prepared certainly has helped."

Bohl understands this firsthand from experience, as his team won the national
championship last season and handled its competition well leading up to the
title game. Interestingly, in just two years with the expanded bracket, only
two teams, NDSU and Georgia Southern in 2010, won their second-round matchups
after playing in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bison defeated Robert Morris, then took down Montana State on the road,
before falling to eventual national champion Eastern Washington in the national
quarterfinals. Georgia Southern made it all the way to the semifinals, winning
three games along the way.

"Bye weeks can be really healthy and helpful when you handle them that
way," Bohl said. "However, they can be detrimental if you lose your timing or
your focus. You're not playing football for a week, there's times that teams
don't handle it well. It's been our experience in the past. We've handled it
well. We'll need to handle it well this Saturday."

Like last season, North Dakota State enters its second-round matchup this year
as the overall No. 1 seed and has had an extra week to prepare for the team's
first opponent. Ironically, the Bison will host rival South Dakota State for
the second time this year.

The Jackrabbits ran away with their first playoff game last week, defeating
Eastern Illinois, 58-10, as running back Zach Zenner rushed for a school-record
295 yards and three touchdowns. One could argue South Dakota State picked up
plenty of confidence heading into the Fargodome for the rematch. Olus it seeks
revenge after a 20-17 defeat on Nov. 10.

On the other side of the bracket, Stony Brook, representing the Big South
Conference, heads to Bozeman, Mont., to play No. 3 seed Montana State.

The Seawolves not only proved they belonged in the postseason last week in
a 20-10 victory over CAA Football automatic qualifier Villanova, but they also
won without the FCS' leader in pass efficiency. That is, starting quarterback
Kyle Essington, who missed the game with a thigh injury, while backup Lyle
Negron completed just 3-of-6 passes for 37 yards in harsh, windy conditions.
Priore said he expects Esssington to be close to 100 percent by Saturday's
game.

SBU's two-headed running back monster of Miguel Maysonet and Marcus Coker, who
literally paved the way to victory last week, will face a tough challenge with
MSU's stout defense.

It's probably better the Seawolves played last week rather than receiving a bye
because the team finished the regular season on Nov. 10 and would have had to
wait nearly three weeks to play again.

Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore didn't look to momentum, but rather playing the
type of football that his team has been capable of all season.

"The reality of it is, it's going to be cold, it's going to be a hostile
environment and we just have to play the game with our emotions to us and not
really worry about it," Priore said. "That's easier said than done. I think
this team can really focus in on what we need to do and hopefully be able to,
by playing well and keep the crowd out of it and the conditions both teams
have to play in."

Senior cornerback Dominick Reyes agreed the Seawolves have embraced an underdog
mentality going into the game.

"We know most people have never heard of Stony Brook," Reyes said. "We are
aware of that."

The following is a game-by-game breakdown for the eight FCS playoff games this
week:

Game Notes: Appalachian State will be looking to make a statement after its
last two trips to the playoffs have ended in disappointing fashion. In 2010,
the Mountaineers were outplayed versus Villanova, losing, 42-24. Last season,
Maine went into Boone, N.C., and shocked ASU, running away with a 34-12
victory.

Perhaps the worst news for coach Jerry Moore's squad is that it has a 21-day
break between games. The team had its bye week on Nov. 17 on top of receiving
a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Despite falling to eventual No. 1 seed North Dakota State to end the regular
season, Illinois State earned its first trip to the playoffs since 2006. The
Redbirds have the ability to make some noise with Missouri Valley Conference
offensive player of the year Matt Brown under center and first-team all-
conference defensive end Colton Underwood.

Brown owns numerous Illinois State passing records, and in 11 games this
season he's thrown for 2,676 yards and 20 touchdowns and averages 243 yards
per game. Underwood leads a ISU defense which ranks second in the FCS in pass
efficiency defense with a 98.09 rating. The senior has totaled 9.5 sacks and
18 tackles for loss in 11 games.

Appalachian State will need to get off to a fast start and quarterback Jamal
Jackson can't try to do too much. He has plenty of playmakers like Steven
Miller (1,307 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns), Sean Price (68 receptions, 1,029
yards, eight touchdowns) and Andrew Peacock (68 receptions, 716 yards, three
touchdowns) who can do a lot of damage with the ball in their hands.

MVFC teams are 3-13 versus the Southern Conference in playoff contests, - ISU
is 1-7 all-time against SoCon opponents - not to mention, ASU is 4-0 all-time
against Valley teams and each victory has come in the playoffs.

Although the game will be in a very tough environment at "The Rock," Illinois
State shouldn't be overwhelmed because the team is 5-0 on the road this
season.

Game Notes: Georgia Southern, one of the FCS' most successful programs when it
comes to the playoffs, will try to add to its impressive 32-3 home postseason
record versus an underrated Central Arkansas squad. The Eagles have been
flying high, reaching the national semifinals in the last two seasons.

Central Arkansas looks to play spoiler, even though the Bears shared the
Southland Conference title and were the only FCS team this season to defeat
Sam Houston State.

Quarterback Wynrick Smothers has had an outstanding season, throwing for 2,852
yards and 31 touchdowns. But it's his accuracy which relates to his success.
Smothers ranks No. 10 in the FCS in passing efficiency with a 151.52 rating
and he's completed 67 percent of his passes in 11 games.

UCA won't hurt opponents on the ground, averaging 132 yards per game, but
through the air, the Bears are dangerous. Receivers Jesse Grandy and Dominique
Croom lead the way, accounting for a combined 108 receptions, 1,391 yards and
15 touchdowns in 11 games. Grandy doubles as a dangerous playmaker on special
teams as well, returning punts and kickoffs.

Having an extra week of preparation to prepare for GSU's No. 1-ranked rushing
offense (392 yards per game) and tough triple option attack certainly will
help. The Bears are going to need to force turnovers and put the Eagles in
difficult down-and-distance situations. Easier said than done.

Georgia Southern quarterback Jerick McKinnon has 1,162 rushing yards and 13
touchdowns in 11 games and B-back Dominique Swope has rushed for 924 yards and
14 touchdowns in nine games. McKinnon averages 6.6 yards per carry and 105.6
yards per game, compared to Swope's 6.1 yards per carry and 102.1 yards per
game.

UCA is tied for seventh in the FCS with over 7.6 tackles for loss per game.
Linebacker Justin Heard (14 tackles for loss) and defensive end Jonathan
Woodard (10.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks) will need to step up and
penetrate into the GSU backfield.

This is the second all-time meeting between the schools, the first came in the
2006 regular-season finale. UCA defeated the Eagles, 34-31, in overtime at
Paulson Stadium.

Game Notes: Coastal Carolina won a playoff game for the first time in program
history last week, defeating Bethune-Cookman on the road, 24-14. The
Chanticleers have benefited from a tough early schedule and the team's
running game has come alive.

CCU has rushed for more than 200 yards in seven straight games and averaged
261 yards on the ground during that span. Amazingly, 200 rushing yards seems
to be the key to success because in just 10 years as a football program,
Coastal is 45-5 all-time when hitting that plateau.

Of course, playing well on offense won't be the team's only concern this week
because the Chants have to try to contain Old Dominion's prolific offense.

ODU coach Bobby Wilder's offense ranks first in the FCS in total offense (538
yards per game) and second in passing (382 yards per game) and scoring offense
(44 points per game).

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton
Award and he's thrown for an FCS-high 4,158 yards and 35 touchdowns in 11
games. The Monarchs have so much success because of their ability to put
together quick-scoring drives. Receivers Nick Mayers, Antonio Vaughan, Blair
Roberts and Larry Pinkard all average 59 receiving yards per game or better
and they have accounted for 28 touchdowns through the regular season.

Running back Tyree Lee continues to improve, which is good news because ODU
needs to become more balanced. The sophomore totaled 751 rushing yards and
eight touchdowns in 11 games, although he only averages 68 yards per contest.

Coastal Carolina signal-caller Aramis Hillary earned first-team All-Big South
honors and can play with the big boys. The senior has completed 65 percent of
his passes for 2,313 yards and 18 touchdowns. Plus, he's added 522 rushing
yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.

CCU could keep the game close in the first quarter. Ultimately, however, ODU's
athleticism and speed should take control of the game.

Game Notes: Wofford and New Hampshire meet for the first time as two teams
who are really good at what they do when they play their "A" game.

The Terriers rank second in the FCS with 348 rushing yards per game and
average nearly six yards per carry. They have attempted only 75 passes in 11
games and gain 52 yards per game through the air, but who needs to throw the
ball when you have Eric Breitenstein, a healthy Donovan Johnson and many other
capable ball-carriers.

Breitenstein is a bearded bowling ball who's rushed for 1,653 yards and 16
touchdowns this season. The senior fullback averages 150 yards per game -
third in the in FCS - and he repeated as the Southern Conference's offensive
player of the year. Quarterbacks Brian Kass and Michael Weimer will both see
playing time, while Kass (six touchdown passes, two interceptions) is a
better thrower and Weimer is more effective on the ground.

New Hampshire actually has found much success running the ball this season,
averaging 234 yards per game, good for No. 13 in the FCS. Running back Nico
Steriti leads the team with 870 yards and nine touchdowns this season, while
quarterbacks Andy Vailas and Sean Goldrich both have the ability to use their
legs in the school's spread, zone-read offense.

UNH got whipped on Nov. 17 versus Towson and the offense's two-quarterback
system looked out of rhythm and troublesome for the first time this year.
Plus, the defense was exploited and embarrassed in the 64-35 loss.

The 'Cats allow 164 rushing yards per game, which looks great compared to 269
passing yards, and the secondary really shouldn't be tested too much this
week. Expect Breitenstein to get his yards and for Wofford to attack an
inconsistent UNH defensive front.

Wofford's triple option attack matches up very well against New Hampshire's
fast-striking offense because the Wildcats rank 114th in the FCS in time of
possession and rarely put together long drives. If the Terriers can hold onto
the ball and keep the clock moving, the UNH defense could be in trouble.

Prediction: Wofford 42, New Hampshire 31.

No. 19 South Dakota State (9-3) at No. 1 North Dakota State (10-1)

Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 1, 4 p.m. ET

Facts & Stats: Site: Gate City Bank Field / Fargodome (18,600) -- Fargo, N.D.
Surface: StroTurf's GameDay Grass 3D60 infilled turf. Television: ESPN GamePlan
and ESPN3.com. Announcers: Dan Gutowsky and John Gregory. Home Record: South
Dakota State 6-0; North Dakota State 5-1. Away Record: South Dakota State 3-3;
North Dakota State 4-0. Neutral Record: South Dakota State 0-0; North Dakota
State 1-0. Series Record: North Dakota State (54-40-5). Last Meeting: Nov. 10,
2012 (North Dakota State, 20-17 at NDST). Series Streak: North Dakota State has
won the last three meetings. Nicknames: South Dakota State Jackrabbits; North
Dakota State Bison. Conferences: South Dakota State - Missouri Valley; South
Dakota State - Missouri Valley. Sports Network Ranking: South Dakota State
(19); North Dakota State (1). NCAA FCS Playoffs Seedings: South Dakota State
(NS); North Dakota State (1). Coaches: South Dakota State - John Stiegelmeier
(16th season, 102-75 at South Dakota State and overall); North Dakota State -
Craig Bohl (10th season, 85-32 at North Dakota State at overall). FCS playoff
records: South Dakota State 1-1; North Dakota State 6-1. Previous FCS Playoff
Appearances: South Dakota State 1 (2009); North Dakota State 2 (2010-11).
Current Playoff Streak: South Dakota State won its last playoff game; North
Dakota State has won its last four playoff games.

Game Notes: You have to love the irony of the FCS playoffs, especially this
week, when rivals North Dakota State and South Dakota State square off for the
second time this season.

This is the 100th meeting between the two schools in a series which started in
1903. The Jackrabbits will certainly have the series' 99th meeting on their
mind - a 20-17 loss on Nov. 10, also in the Fargodome - because they were
limited to just 209 yards of offense and lost the battle for the Dakota Marker
for the third straight season.

Believe it or not, this is just the third trip to the FCS playoffs for the
Bison, but it's the second straight season that the team has earned the
overall No. 1 seed.

NDSU's defense has remained atop FCS defensive rankings throughout the
season, ranking first in six major categories. Most notably, scoring defense
(11 points per game), total defense (195 yards per game), rush defense (67
yards per game), pass defense (128 yards per game) and defensive third down
efficiency (25.95 percent).

However, few realize the Bison also lead the FCS in time of possession at
35 minutes, 30 seconds per game, which not only keeps foes off the field, but
it also gives the team's defense time to rest.

South Dakota State has the advantage of momentum, after dominating Eastern
Illinois last week, 58-10, in first-round action. Running back Zach Zenner
regained his seat atop the FCS rushing charter with a 295-yard, three-
touchdown performance. The sophomore leads all FCS players with 1,998 rushing
yards and 166 yards per game, in 12 contests this season.

Zenner rushed for a season-low 43 yards in the Nov. 10 loss at North Dakota
State.

Interestingly, the key to the game could be the play of both signal-callers.
NDSU quarterback Brock Jensen and SDSU quarterback Austin Sumner need to make
the most of their play action pass opportunities. Neither quarterback is going
to put up huge numbers, but they need to be efficient and limit turnovers.

There's just something about playoff football in the Fargodome that makes it
such a daunting task for opponents. Expect the role of special teams to be the
difference maker when it's all said and done.

Game Notes: Sam Houston State and Cal Poly meet in a critical matchup between
the Bearkats' third-ranked FCS rushing defense (76 yards per game) and the
Mustangs' third-ranked FCS rushing offense (333 yards per game).

Southland Conference teams are 9-3 overall when playing home games versus the
Big Sky Conference, while Big Sky teams are 0-4 all-time in the postseason at
Sam Houston State.

The Bearkats have only played three home contests this season, this game being
the fourth, which will help for a decent crowd. Plus, they are 5-0 all-time in
playoff action at Bowers Stadium and 13-0 at home overall, dating back to the
2010 season.

SHSU has a wealth of experience and weapons. Running back Timothy Flanders has
scored 17 touchdowns in 11 games and averages 104 rushing yards per contest.
Receivers Trey Diller and Chance Nelson don't receive much of credit because
of Flanders and quarterback Brian Bell share the limelight. They have
accounted for 76 receptions, for 1,280 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 games.

The Mustangs clearly like to set the tone on the ground with their triple
option attack and slotback Deonte Williams leads the way with 1,458 rushing
yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 games. Quarterback Andre Broadous is the general
of the offense and he's accounted for 18 passing touchdowns and nine rushing
touchdowns through the regular season.

In fact, few realize just how effective CP has been throwing the ball. The
team ranks first in the FCS in passing efficiency with a 176.38 rating.
Broadous has completed 78-of-133 passes and just three interceptions.

The Bearkats defense has been solid against the run through the regular
season, but even more telling? Against FCS competition this season, SHSU has
allowed one rushing touchdown. Only one FCS team, Southeastern Louisiana,
managed to cross the 100-yard rushing mark and they lost that game, 70-0. The
only time SHSU has been hurt against the run was against FBS foes Baylor (232
yards) and Texas A&M (157 yards).

Cal Poly, however, has scored 36 rushing touchdowns in 11 games and averages
nearly 5.3 yards per carry. The team will need to get close to that average in
order to have any shot for a victory.

Game Notes: Wagner enters the contest with a lot of confidence after an
impressive 31-20 victory over Colgate. It was the program's first-ever FCS
playoff victory and the Northeast Conference's first playoff victory since it
received an automatic qualifying bid in 2010.

Wagner's statistical success has been overlooked because the team came out of
nowhere, reeling off nine straight wins during its playoff push. Quarterback
Nick Doscher holds the key for success on offense, as he has thrown 210
straight passes without an interception and the team has committed just one
turnover during its nine-game win streak. Running back Dominique Williams
(1,268 yards, 12 touchdowns) is a shifty back who can handle a load of carries
if needed.

Eastern Washington captured a share of the Big Sky Conference title and won
the tiebreaker for its automatic bid to the playoffs. Plus, the Eagles have an
extra week to get healthy and prepare for their opponent. EWU has to be
pleased with the No. 2 overall seed and the potential to continue playing
football at Roos Field on the infamous "Inferno" red turf playing surface, if
the team can keep winning.

However, before coach Beau Baldwin's squad can start looking ahead, it has to
get by Wagner's defense which ranks sixth in the FCS in scoring, allowing 16
points per game and 11th in passing defense with 164 yards per game.

Of course, one could argue that the NEC offenses offer little comparisons to
the athletes and skill sets of Eastern Washington, but it's important to
remember that even the Eagles have had to win close games this season. Of the
team's seven conference wins this season, six have come by a combined margin
of 28 points.

Whichever quarterback has the hot hand coming into the contest, Vernon Adams
or Kyle Padron - who have combined for 3,270 passing yards and 24 touchdowns
in 11 games - certainly has quality receivers to play catch with each game.
Wagner could be overmatched with pass catchers Brandon Kaufman, Greg Herd and
Nicholas Edwards attacking all levels of the secondary.

If any team remaining in the playoffs can play through adversity, it has to be
Wagner. Sure, the Seahawks have to travel across the country and play in a
different time zone for the first time this season, but if they overcame the
effects of Hurricane Sandy, start the season 0-3 and effectively shut down a
dangerous Colgate offense to win a playoff game, anything can happen.

Game Notes: It's either really good or really bad news that Stony Brook proved
just how solid its run game was in the team's 20-10 victory versus Villanova
last week.

On the one hand, the Seawolves had no problem relying on stud running back
Miguel Maysonet and his capable backup Marcus Coker, who combined for 54
carries for 160 and 107 yards, respectively. On the other hand, quarterback
Lyle Negron, who replaced the FCS' leader in passing efficiency (quarterback
Kyle Essington) completed just 3-of-6 passes for 37 yards.

Essington's status this week is still unknown, as he suffered a right thigh
contusion in the regular-season finale, but there's no question. He makes a
huge difference on offense when healthy.

Montana State's stout defense should be able to answer questions about whether
SBU's run attack is indeed the real deal. The Bobcats defense ranks seventh in
the FCS in against the run, allowing 96 yards per game and only 3.2 yards per
carry. To put some numbers in perspective, Maysonet, a Walter Payton Award
finalist, averages nearly 7.6 yards per carry in 12 games this season. He has
scored 23 total touchdowns to share the FCS high.

MSU's offense should give Stony Brook plenty of problems as well. Quarterback
DeNarius McGhee leads a unit which averages 36 points per game and the team's
running attack has thrived in the second half of the season. Running back Cody
Kirk averages 90 yards per game and has rushed for 815 yards and 13 touchdowns
in just nine contests this season. Orenzo Davis, like Coker, is also a solid
backup, rushing for seven touchdowns and 550 yards in 10 games.

Stony Brook has played in some tough environments this year, including games
at Syracuse and Army, which will help this weekend in Bozeman. However, the
Bobcats faithful will be out in full force in only the second true night game
in Bobcat Stadium history.

The key to this contest could be third-down conversions. SBU ranks ninth in
the FCS, converting 50.36 percent on third down, while Montana State ranks
fifth in the FCS in defensive third-down efficiency, as opponents are
converting just 28.83 percent of the time.